Is Education Associated With Improvements in General Cognitive Ability, or in Specific Skills?

Previous research has indicated that education influences cognitive development, but it is unclear what,
precisely, is being improved. Here, we tested whether education is associated with cognitive test score
improvements via domain-general effects on general cognitive ability (g), or via domain-specific effects
on particular cognitive skills. We conducted structural equation modeling on data from a large (n
1,091), longitudinal sample, with a measure of intelligence at age 11 years and 10 tests covering a diverse
range of cognitive abilities taken at age 70. Results indicated that the association of education with
improved cognitive test scores is not mediated by g, but consists of direct effects on specific cognitive
skills. These results suggest a decoupling of educational gains from increases in general intellectual
capacity.

1 Kommentar:

I don't know why "specific skills" they are talking about but i think it is unlikely to happen. "Education" without self knowledge is a ilusion that works only to certain smart subgroups but useless and potentially negative for most. My "school and university experience". I learn more out of school than inside it. I think school teach about specific knowledges ( and not skills wich are conceptually different, for example, to be intuitively good on math is a pure or innate potential to be explored. Nobody learn to be good on math than verbal. Learn specific formules would be learn the "technic" to use math or "specific skills)